BEA Systems reports profit in line with view 8-19-98

BrenonDaly

BEA Systems (BEAS)
beas
reported fiscal second-quarter earnings of 7 cents per share, excluding charges, in line with analysts' expectations. Sales increased 92 percent to $65.5 million, about $5 million more than analysts projected. BEA Systems broke even on sales of $34.2 million in its second quarter last year. Over the past month, shares have dropped as much as 50 percent, and closed off 1 1/16 at 20.

Microsoft wins closed-door questioning

A federal appeals court agreed to Microsoft's request Wednesday to prevent the public from watching government questioning of the company's billionaire chairman and 16 other executives, the company (MSFT)
MSFT, -0.35%
said. The ruling means neither the public nor media representatives can attend pretrial depositions, denying them a seat during preparations for the extraordinary showdown between the government and the $14 billion software giant Microsoft.

Lycos reports narrower loss

Shares of Lycos could rise Thursday after the Internet media player reported a narrower-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter loss of 9 cents a share, excluding acquisition-related charges. Analysts were expecting Lycos (LCOS)
lcos
to report a pre-charge loss of 13 cents, according to the consensus estimate compiled by First Call.

Lycos -- which earlier this month announced the purchase of free e-mail and home page provider WhoWhere? -- also reported that its network of Web sites, counted as one property, boasts the fourth most popular Web destination, according to Media Metrix ratings in July.

Intersolv edges higher

Intersolv shares added 1/16 to 17 5/16 Wednesday after the company said it earned 9 cents per share in its fiscal first quarter, 3 cents more than analysts expected. The Rockville, Md.-based company (ISLI)
isli
, which specializes in Year 2000 solutions, earned 3 cents in the same period last year. Sales increased 14 percent to $47.1 million. The company is set to merge with Britain's Micro Focus. Shareholders of both companies are scheduled to vote next month on the deal, and Intersolv said the merger is progressing "as anticipated." The stock added 7/8 to 18 1/8.

Netscape dips 3.9 percent

Netscape Communications Corp. dipped 1 1/4 to 30 7/8 even though the company posted better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results, and an investment bank raised its rating on the company. Netscape (NSCP)
nscp
said it broke even during its third quarter. Analysts expected the company to lose 2 cents per share. Sales rose 18 percent to $150.2 million, about $10 million more than analysts expected. Pacing the sales growth was a 24 percent increase in revenue from Netcenter, the company's Internet gateway for Web surfers. That plan is crucial for Netscape as it leaves behind its origins as the developer of Internet browsing software.

Earnings reports for the week

Analysts expect Wind River to report earnings of 19 cents per share when it reports fiscal second-quarter results on Thursday. The Alameda, Calif.-based company (WIND)
WIND, -0.07%
makes software that provides basic instructions to many basic appliances, such as coffee makers and cars. Earlier this week, Lehman Bros. started the company with a "buy" rating.

Autodesk will release fiscal second-quarter earnings on Thursday. Goldman Sachs expects the maker of computer-aided design software (ADSK)
ADSK, -0.28%
to earn 54 cents per share. Shares have shed about one-third of their value over the past three months, and Goldman said it will be another quarter before the stock gets "interesting."

Turnaround candidate Novell is expected to post earnings of 7 cents per share in its fiscal third-quarter release on Thursday. The maker of networking software (NOVL)
novl
has seen its business undercut over the past few years by Microsoft.

Intraday Data provided by SIX Financial Information and subject to terms of use. Historical and current end-of-day data provided by SIX Financial Information. All quotes are in local exchange time. Real-time last sale data for U.S. stock quotes reflect trades reported through Nasdaq only. Intraday data delayed at least 15 minutes or per exchange requirements.